Justin Lowe: Are You Sure You Want the Blackhawks to Make the Playoffs? Across social media and the message boards, it sounds like during this 7-game winning streak, there was an even split of those who wanted the Hawks to sell, sell, sell and those who wanted to keep on pushing their way into the playoffs.

I will continue to say that I will never cheer for the Hawks to lose, but like a proud parent, I also don't want them to be flat-out embarrassed again in the post-season.

12 NHL games last night - the winning team was outshot in seven of them. Seven mirages.

No word on face offs, but I'm sure all the winners also won the face off battle.


Monday night - all three losing teams outshot the winners. That's three more mirage victories.

Being an outsider (Isles fan) but watching a lot of hockey from the entire league, I can say that I dont think either division winner would be too happy to see the Hawks get in. There is something about playoff expierence that matters, and with 2 top lines clicking and a knowledgeable d I will be tuning in to see if an 8 or for that matter a 7 can pull a first round upset. Do I think you pull a LA Kings, not likely, but nobody picked them years ago, not many saw Edmonton going to the finals where they lost to the Canes and some rookie goalie who came up big in the playoffs. So yeah glad you are in the west, and good luck the rest of the way.

Being an outsider (Isles fan) but watching a lot of hockey from the entire league, I can say that I dont think either division winner would be too happy to see the Hawks get in. There is something about playoff expierence that matters, and with 2 top lines clicking and a knowledgeable d I will be tuning in to see if an 8 or for that matter a 7 can pull a first round upset. Do I think you pull a LA Kings, not likely, but nobody picked them years ago, not many saw Edmonton going to the finals where they lost to the Canes and some rookie goalie who came up big in the playoffs. So yeah glad you are in the west, and good luck the rest of the way.
- Sec111

You and your level-headedness can take a hike. The Hawks couldn't beat Notre Dame in a seven game series.

Nice post, sums it up well.

I was at the game last night as a Boston resident, and you’re right, they were thumped.

What I don’t necessarily agree with is that the game is definitely indicative of how the Blackhawks would fare in the playoffs against a high quality team. I think last night was a classic case of a road game that the team was not prepared to play. What I saw in the game was the Blackhawks continuously killing themselves with poor puck decisions. It seemed like they were just giving the puck away constantly even in low pressure situations.

So what I’m saying is that I believe last night was more of a case of poor play from the Blackhawks vs. being overwhelmed by the Bruins. Also, while it seemed like Bruins controlled play because of the Hawks carelessness with the puck, it did seem like the Hawks did a decent job of limiting high danger opportunities, not sure if that bares out in the numbers.

A couple other notes:
- I think Sikura has NHL talent when playing with the puck, but away from the puck he isn’t great. It seems like when he gets the puck on his stick he does good work but he just doesn’t get it enough, he was to find a way to play with the puck more often
- Are we sure the Blackhawks play a man to man defense? I guess I’m not sure what that means. It looks to me like wings cover the points, defenders and center cover down low and net front, isn’t that pretty standard? Does it just mean they have more freedom to chase guys when they leave their coverage areas?

Until defense gets fixed, will remain in a quagmire. Initially wanted the team to sneak into the playoffs. Now, not so much. Attack our D with a persistent forecheck and we are toast. It shouldn't be that easy for the opposition.

Being an outsider (Isles fan) but watching a lot of hockey from the entire league, I can say that I dont think either division winner would be too happy to see the Hawks get in. There is something about playoff expierence that matters, and with 2 top lines clicking and a knowledgeable d I will be tuning in to see if an 8 or for that matter a 7 can pull a first round upset. Do I think you pull a LA Kings, not likely, but nobody picked them years ago, not many saw Edmonton going to the finals where they lost to the Canes and some rookie goalie who came up big in the playoffs. So yeah glad you are in the west, and good luck the rest of the way.
- Sec111

St. Louis Blues are currently playing well. A mirage or could they steal a round or two?

I think the Bruins would trade all of their Cups in the last decade for all of Chicago's.

5 of 6 games before TDL are against sub .500 teams. They could climb back into it by beating people like Jersey, Ottawa, Colorado, and Detroit. Then again, they could also lose to any of those teams, nothing is a given. Team is scoring, the powerplay is rolling, but Defense is a mess.

Cue the "told you so" tankers...

I myself will also never cheer for them to lose but if they can stay close even a few games back all the way until the end and fall short let's do it sign me up. Give up a little of this or that (no core or key players unless a can't miss deal) and take a swing at an expiring contract that may help or some other team's 1st round pick that hasn't got it together yet. Give them a chance it's a low risk high potential reward scenario. We seem to have recent luck with that...

Cue the "told you so" tankers...

I myself will also never cheer for them to lose but if they can stay close even a few games back all the way until the end and fall short let's do it sign me up. Give up a little of this or that (no core or key players unless a can't miss deal) and take a swing at an expiring contract that may help or some other team's 1st round pick that hasn't got it together yet. Give them a chance it's a low risk high potential reward scenario. We seem to have recent luck with that...
- Brownie's_Purse

Speaking of D, why would we start Forsling against the Bruins? It might be appropriate against some teams, but Kook should have been in last night.

Heavy hockey in the playoffs and the hawks aren't built for it. They don't have the team speed to out run the forecheck anymore. It's fun to see them compete for a full game, but patience is needed. The score was indicative of the reality last night. Interesting to see the comparisons between Boston and Chicago in the blog post.

We're still 4 points back of that last wild card spot after the Avs and Minny lost last night as well. Hawks will regroup and start a new winning streak against the Devils! Anyways, I'm leaving to Argentina to climb the tallest mountain in South America for a month. Hopefully, by the time I'm back, the Hawks have a strong grasp on the last wild card spot and are rolling into the playoffs Be good everyone, and try not to fight ! I'll see you at the top!

Best,

SS

Play your best.
Make hockey trades that make sense for the future (the next two seasons).
If you make the playoffs fine. If you miss the playoffs fine.
Once you know you are going to be out of the playoffs either send kids down to play in the playoffs for Rockford, or bring kids up to give them a taste of the NHL and see how they stack up.

5 of 6 games before TDL are against sub .500 teams. They could climb back into it by beating people like Jersey, Ottawa, Colorado, and Detroit. Then again, they could also lose to any of those teams, nothing is a given. Team is scoring, the powerplay is rolling, but Defense is a mess.
- kwolf68

Yeah, Boston looked like they could of controlled the puck the whole night. Some very costly turn overs and just a clinic put on by the Bruins last night. Not a good road effort and chalk it up as that. Like you said, those four games are very winnable and if you win all four you are looking at a chance at that 8th spot.

I do think the TDL will be a tough one for Stan. I honestly have been on the fence not knowing what they should do. I would love a couple bottom 6 forwards to continue to build out the depth for this year into next.

Speaking of D, why would we start Forsling against the Bruins? It might be appropriate against some teams, but Kook should have been in last night.
- 67hawks

Believe JC is rotating Kook, Forsling and Dahlstrom.

Count me as wanting to see them do well no matter. Would love to see them sneak into the playoffs.

If they get thumped, so be it, but I don’t see the same result as what happened vs the Preds. Don’t see them necessarily winning a series but competing at least.

Also, no buying BS at the TDL. If there are either actual trades to be made with an eye on the long term plan or picks recouped for the likes of Kunitz, Freddie, AA (depending on the return) then yes do that please.

Yeah, Boston looked like they could of controlled the puck the whole night. Some very costly turn overs and just a clinic put on by the Bruins last night. Not a good road effort and chalk it up as that. Like you said, those four games are very winnable and if you win all four you are looking at a chance at that 8th spot.

I do think the TDL will be a tough one for Stan. I honestly have been on the fence not knowing what they should do. I would love a couple bottom 6 forwards to continue to build out the depth for this year into next.
- nickmo2699

No matter what something has to be done with the defense. I don't advocate Stan selling the future, but if there is some solid D that could come pretty cheap you have to look at it. Either that or:

-just let this team run, "as is" and finishing wherever
-sell, recognize this team is nowhere close to a Cup contender and the best way to become one is to move some veterans for new resources

Honestly, I am fine with whatever Bowman does UNLESS he trades some of our best prospects for a hapless run, unless what he gets back are young talent (a Strome type D-man would be OK with me). But trading top prospects for players like Timmonen, Fleishman or Rundblad is a non starter.

It's tough because you don't want your favorite team to be absolute garbage just to get a good draft pick. But, you also realize they aren't nearly good enough to challenge for a division title or even win a playoff round. I have to say it is nice to see the improvement over the last month of so, and the acquisitions of 17 and 91 looking good. You want the young players playing hard and fitting in. You want your superstars beings superstars too. If that happens, games are going to be won.

What I would like to see is not tanking, but if there is an opportunity to move Anisimov or Kruger or whomever to get a pick or a prospect or dump some salary, then you do it.

The Boston game really paints the picture of who the Hawks are right now, a borderline wildcard team. They scored a fluky goal, and then Boston turned it on and dominated. The Hawks can beat Minnesota and Arizona, but will get owned by San Jose and Winnipeg. Based on the schedule I see for the rest of the season, the Hawks will probably fall about where they are now, 4 points short of the playoffs.

Curious as to which expiring contracts might be of target for this club to help a contender out in return for a prospect? TB I'm sure desperately wants to ditch Callahan but he's not an expiring contract with another one on the books for next season. One could venture to say since Strome/Kitty aren't due raises til the following year, Stan could theoretically take on Callahan's contract for the right price. Who else?

It's tough because you don't want your favorite team to be absolute garbage just to get a good draft pick. But, you also realize they aren't nearly good enough to challenge for a division title or even win a playoff round. I have to say it is nice to see the improvement over the last month of so, and the acquisitions of 17 and 91 looking good. You want the young players playing hard and fitting in. You want your superstars beings superstars too. If that happens, games are going to be won.

What I would like to see is not tanking, but if there is an opportunity to move Anisimov or Kruger or whomever to get a pick or a prospect or dump some salary, then you do it.

The Boston game really paints the picture of who the Hawks are right now, a borderline wildcard team. They scored a fluky goal, and then Boston turned it on and dominated. The Hawks can beat Minnesota and Arizona, but will get owned by San Jose and Winnipeg. Based on the schedule I see for the rest of the season, the Hawks will probably fall about where they are now, 4 points short of the playoffs.
- biskit67

Anisimov is not worth much at all, he brings very little for a big salary and has a NMC. Kruger actually may be worth a little something, but I think he has to stay centering line 4 if the Hawks want to make a playoff push. If Kampf was healthy or Highmore was ready then yea Kruger would be expendable.

Heavy hockey in the playoffs and the hawks aren't built for it. They don't have the team speed to out run the forecheck anymore. It's fun to see them compete for a full game, but patience is needed. The score was indicative of the reality last night. Interesting to see the comparisons between Boston and Chicago in the blog post.
- 6628

Good point! The Hawks speed and the toughness of players who were willing to take hits to make plays is what allowed then to deal with strong forechecking teams. But also don't forget there was a coaching element as well. When the Ducks sent three forwards into the Hawks zone playing search and destroy against the Hawk defenders and had their defensemen pinching at the blueline causing all kinds of havoc we saw a coaching change where the Hawks would start stretching the ice causing many odd man rushes for the Hawks. Poor old Boudreau had no answer for the one and only tactic he could think of.

I was at the game last night as a Boston resident, and you’re right, they were thumped.

What I don’t necessarily agree with is that the game is definitely indicative of how the Blackhawks would fare in the playoffs against a high quality team. I think last night was a classic case of a road game that the team was not prepared to play. What I saw in the game was the Blackhawks continuously killing themselves with poor puck decisions. It seemed like they were just giving the puck away constantly even in low pressure situations.

So what I’m saying is that I believe last night was more of a case of poor play from the Blackhawks vs. being overwhelmed by the Bruins. Also, while it seemed like Bruins controlled play because of the Hawks carelessness with the puck, it did seem like the Hawks did a decent job of limiting high danger opportunities, not sure if that bares out in the numbers.

A couple other notes:
- I think Sikura has NHL talent when playing with the puck, but away from the puck he isn’t great. It seems like when he gets the puck on his stick he does good work but he just doesn’t get it enough, he was to find a way to play with the puck more often
- Are we sure the Blackhawks play a man to man defense? I guess I’m not sure what that means. It looks to me like wings cover the points, defenders and center cover down low and net front, isn’t that pretty standard? Does it just mean they have more freedom to chase guys when they leave their coverage areas?
- LaheysBRandy

I did see one point in the game where Murphy followed a wing from the right face off dot, to the blue line, across to the right, and back down to the left dot.

Like others have alluded, I’m not sure your premise is complete. They have a chance of getting in the playoffs WITHOUT selling off assets. Considering Joki got sent down (as one of, if not the, best d-man on the team), and they are constantly rotating the other three, I think they realize exactly what they are this year. I don’t think Stan will be making any trades to “win now”.

Not only that, but you can trade all of the guys you mentioned and it likely won’t alter their trajectory all that much.

Play your best.
Make hockey trades that make sense for the future (the next two seasons).
If you make the playoffs fine. If you miss the playoffs fine.
Once you know you are going to be out of the playoffs either send kids down to play in the playoffs for Rockford, or bring kids up to give them a taste of the NHL and see how they stack up.
- -Doh-

This is what I think they'll do too. Good post.

There is no guaranty. Arizona and Edmonton for example. So if you have a chance to make the playoffs, just do it but don't give away any high picks.